Since you guys are the smartest people I know, I thought I would start here in a quest to find out if I've been screwed. (Note the flattery preceding a request for a huge favor.)
My wife took her 04 Infiniti G35 Coupe into the shop yesterday because the brake wear indicators were squealing. The car has 29,000 miles and this is the second set of brake pads. The first set were replaced under warranty at 15,000 miles.
Of course I get a call while I'm out in the middle of nowhere from my wife telling me that we need a brake job PLUS new rotors. Huh?
I call the dealership and ask why can't the rotors be turned?
The service guy @ Crest in Plano TX who repeatedly calls me "buddy" says "no way, they are metal on metal".
I told him that was difficult to believe since the wear indicator just began squealing last week.
I didn’t have time to mess with them so I told them to go ahead but throw the old rotors and pads in the trunk. I'm in need of some paper weights.
I took some measurements on the rotors and pads.
These are vented not drilled rotors on a G35 coupe.
First of all they were not metal on metal. When I put a digital caliper on the pads, there is a 1.9 mm depth in the slot or wear indicator.
Secondly, there is a 1 mm depth of wear into each side of the rotors.
In other words the very outer edge of the rotor is 1 mm higher than the surface where the pads contact the rotors.
Did I just buy a set of $275.00 rotors that could have been turned? The wear across the surface is very even and smooth. The pads are OEM and appear to be semi-metallic.
Thanks & I will cook dinner for the first person who shows up with the correct answer.
Frank
Flower Mound Tejas

 

I have no idea but I do believe that the stock rotors on the G have to be changed around 30,000 miles, like yours were. I just think that is what I have read on here, I could be way off. I am sure a smarter member will chime in soon.

 

Man, I bought my G at Crest and have had nothing but trouble there... I think I will be finding another dealership!

 

Your wear indicators are squealing = at least new pads. 1mm seems kinda deep on the rotors, close to need for repair. Techs always exaggerate a little, but it sounds like you needed brakes soon.

I know you got hosed on labor though. Buy the parts and DIY.

Do you have brembos? The non-brembos have a tendency to eat pads quickly. Does your wife ride the brakes?

 

Have your old rotors miked. Doesn't matter what the lip of metal is, they can't be thinner than a certain measurement anywhere on the rotor after being turned. You could take them back to the service guy and have him show you in person (along with showing you where he got the threshold value he's comparing against). Or, you could probably take them to almost any auto parts place that offers rotor turning and ask them to measure it for you.

 

My rotors (Megan BBK) have a lip on the rotor as well, but I've already discussed this with many people and it doesn't mean you need new rotors. I'm not an expert, but I doubt you need new rotors.